Please explain the etymology of brochure, why it means booklet?

J

Johnny Kong

New member
1748, from Fr. brochure "a stitched work," from brocher "to stitch" (sheets together), from O.Fr. brochier "to prick, jab, pierce," from broche "pointed tool, awl" (see broach (n.)).
 
Book pages are bound together, usually by stitching and glue, and attached to a protective cover. Brochures as small booklets of only a few pages which are now stapled together, but, before there were staples, the booklets were bound by stitches or strings.

The French word 'brocher' (pronounced 'broh-SHAY') meant 'to stitch'. 'Brochure' was an item which was stitched together, making a small book. A small book is called a 'booklet'.
 
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